Teeter-Totter...

Tell me. Which end of the teeter-totter do you sit on?

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
2 Timothy 1:12

Some of us are content with the pure emotion of loving and experiencing our One and Only Lord. We love being enveloped in His embrace, His presence in a worship service, or being overwhelmed with His wondrous joy. For others of us, all that matters is that everything be tested, tried, and known true by the Scriptures. We are concerned that emotion tends to be fleshly or devilish and is more of a snare than a blessing in a believer’s life.

Let’s sit in the center on this teeter-totter with Paul. A student of God’s Word, he knew it backward and forward; upside-down and right-side up. Paul experienced the love of God shed lavishly in his heart in the Spirit’s power. He couldn’t have suffered for the gospel with such abandon if he hadn’t known the Savior, oh so personally. And yet, the power of God’s Word trumped his emotions when circumstances were out of control.

Are you a student? Are you a lover? With Jesus we gotta be both.

Perfect Peace...

This morning, I heard the Lord whisper...

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You."
Isaiah 26:3

Driving into work, I pondered the fact that this is how to bring every thought captive to Christ. Like Paul encourages us to do in 2 Corinthians 10:5, we must keep our mind centered on the Lord Jesus throughout the day and trust Him with every aspect of our life.

Do I want to be critical or happy?
Do I want to complain or dance on the mountaintops?
Do I want to be sorry for myself or overflow with gratefulness?
Do I want to be Debbie Downer or Abundant-Life Annie?

What type of person – ahem – or Christian do I want to be??

Well, about an hour after arriving at work, my peace and happiness were challenged. You know what? With the Holy Spirit’s power, I determined to let nothing rob me of my great day. As I thought about the Lord, I was kept in His peace. His perfect peace. It wasn't even a struggle.

The promises of God are amazing...

Together...

Feeling alone or lonely? You shouldn’t....

"But God, who is rich in mercy, 
because of His great love with which He loved us...
made us alive together with Christ... 
and raised us up together, 
and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,"
Ephesians 2:4-6

Here in these three remarkable verses, we find three present-tense “together with Christ” statements:

We are alive together with Him
Raised up together
And we sit together

All because of His love beyond reason, and His meticulous sacrifice to redeem us from our sin and ourselves, we are never alone. We are together in Him.

But do we always live like this? Do we live lives hidden in the Lord Jesus? I for one sure didn’t for many years even though I was a church-going believer. We can still love and worship Him, yet live so contrary to His ways by doing...what we want to do.

These three “together” truths get me. I mean, they really sober and excite me at the same time. I don’t want to live for myself any longer or dream selfish, small dreams. This means living life with an eternal perspective that what I do matters, what I speak in His name has authority to unseat hell, and that I am His emissary here on earth until He takes me home.

So, let’s invite King Jesus to teach us what it means to be together with Him in every aspect of our lives and start living out these amazing statements.

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

As the day’s news grows darker, and the world seems to be coming apart at the seams, well, Jesus told us it would be so. It is time to let our light in Him shine brighter, our joy in the Holy Spirit grow stronger, and our faith be greater than anything the enemy can throw at us. Let’s look up! Our redemption draws near.
Luke 21:28

If your own personal news seems bleak, your family is fractured, or your job seems in peril, remember the One who holds your breath in His hands and owns all your ways. Surrender completely to Him. Everything. Every dream, every selfish desire, your today, and your tomorrow. He Who knows you best loves you most and the Lord is oh so able to take care of all that concerns you.
Daniel 5:23

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

Thinking of You...

You are the apple of His eye…

"Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings."
Psalm 17:8

Did you know, did you realize, that God Almighty only ever thinks about YOU? His Word tells us He only thinks loving, kind, respectful, cherishing, exquisitely lovely, good, purposeful thoughts about you constantly. His thoughts of you in any given moment outnumber the grains of sand on the seashore.

You are the apple of His eye. Quite literally, you are the pupil of His eye. You know, the black dot in the middle? In other words, He only sees you as a lover only sees the object of His affection.

If you have cause to doubt this ageless truth in this moment, well, it is time to get back to His Word. His unfailing, Truth-filled Word. It is time to carve a niche of your life to be alone with King Jesus the Living Word. He wants to remind you that you are everything to Him.

Because you, dear one, are all He sees.

Double Back...

Jesus wants to bestow double-back what has been taken from you by your adversary...

"Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."  Isaiah 61:7

Where the devil has sown fear into someone’s life – crippling them for years on end – when the enemy’s lies are exposed to King Jesus; how often the Lord turns this person into a mighty and courageous warrior.

When an individual has known great shame, even from the womb, when Jesus is invited to break these lies of worthlessness, He then transforms them into someone who knows their standing in heavenly places.

On and on this goes. So, what might be troubling you?

Let Him have it. Give up control. Don’t be afraid to be healed and delivered. Jesus will be gentle with you, but ruthless to Satan. You will be in good hands and He will not fail you.

Lean and Mean...

I want to live lean for Jesus...

"... let us strip off every weight that slows us down, 
especially the sin that so easily trips us up. 
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus...”
Hebrews 12:1b-2a

This was a go-to verse when I was entrenched in strongholds, sin, and stuff. Not to say that I now have my life together – that will be a lifelong work of the Holy Spirit in me – but most definitely, King Jesus has released me from the chains that once kept me oh so defeated.

Now, I want to live lean from all the periphery pursuits that, well, are honestly a waste of time. Yes, we need relaxation, recreation, and creative outlets. However, walking in the Spirit far exceeds all these things. Again, I don’t have this completely down. I am most definitely a work in progress. But when I live full of His presence and His Word, that is exhilaration and restoration enough. I haven’t had to choose not to pursue things I once did, they have pretty much just fallen to the wayside without me even trying.

Yeah, I wanna live lean and mean (against the enemy, not people). I want to live on purpose and on assignment, keeping my eyes upon Him alone with as little encumbrance and hindrance as is possible.

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week…

If you should be bearing a load of guilt and you have confessed your sin or failing to the Lord, yet you still seem overcome with remorse. Remember! His sacrifice was given once and for all! You are forgiven! Don’t let the enemy lie to you. Go and sin no more in His power.
1 John 1:9

Should you be confused about a situation you are finding yourself in, well, God is not the author of any confusion. Take some time with the Lord Jesus, quiet your heart and mind, and open His written Word. He will guide you out of your confusion into His peace. 
1 Corinthians 14:33

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

You Are Mine...

Right now, fires are raging near our church building...

“I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, 
I will be with you;
And through the rivers,
They shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire,
You shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord, your God.”
Isaiah 43:1-3

Several of our church families have been told to evacuate their homes. Their beloved abodes where they have been raising children, making multitudes of memories, getting their souls healed up, and building marriages in the love of Jesus.

Are they concerned? Yes, most definitely. The fire has been in sight for the past two days. The air quality is so poor that many have left their homes already for cleaner skies. Nevertheless, they are in good spirits. As one mom told me, “We always have Jesus and He is always enough. He is walking us through this fire.”

Doesn’t it seem like stuff is accelerating? You know. Non-stop major happenings? We need to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit in all His supernatural giftings and kick any remnant of fear to the curb. I don’t think we have time to play around anymore or just let wasted days go by. God is on the move as hell seems to be bearing down.

But, He is greater still. What comfort. What power. He is with us every step of the way and He tells us we are His own.

Our Safe Place...

The world is certainly not a safe place anymore...

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

Has this planet ever been safe? No, not really.

Ever since Adam and Eve handed over their God-given dominion of earth to the slithering serpent of evil, this planet has never been safe. The things that we often attribute to God are not His doing and were never part of His original plan. The Lord of Love Beyond Reason has been telling us this in His Word for multitude millennia, but I am not sure we have always clearly listened.

Jesus tells us plainly that the adversary of our souls rules this planet, but those who believe – those who stake their lives on the Savior’s shed bled, immediately become residents of His Kingdom of Love (Col 1:13). Does this mean we escape earth’s suffering? Hardly. However, it does mean we can live in, live through, and live over and above life’s hardships because we have the same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead living inside of us. His miracles take place daily.

All this to say, it is not a time to run for cover in fear, instead, let’s fearlessly love everyone, even our enemies, share our faith like lives depend upon it, and no longer live for our own comfort. Because you know what? Jesus has already won the war and we will always be safe in Him.

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

If you should lose your kid’s homework, lose his or her new jacket, or should you seemingly lose your kid to addictions or behaviors that are robbing them of life, remember it is never too late. It is never too late to get on your knees and ask God for His battle plan for their lives. Yes, ask Him for His plan and not yours. Take it from one who has fought these battles and seen the Lord come through time and again. Jesus did it all, in His timing, and His outcomes – all glorious by the way. Remember, the battle is against the enemy of their souls and not the child himself. And the enemy is defeated in Jesus’ Name.

Should the dog bark all night, a neighbor’s car alarm keeps going off for no reason, or it is simply that the world seems to be falling apart that is robbing you of peace, head to the shelter of Jesus’ wings. This is the only place where true calm, quiet, and well-being for your soul can be found. Let Him do the heavy lifting of worry or distress because you were never meant to carry these burdens!

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

Dirty Dishes...

For years I would beat myself up over everything I did...

“Why did I say that? Why did I do that? Why did I blow it, again!!”

After years of these tormenting thoughts, the Lord gave me a picture:

I saw a table stacked with dirty, yucky, caked-on-food dishes that were piled high as if someone had left a huge mess on a dining room table. From out of nowhere, I saw the white-robed arm of the Lord swiping those dishes off the table until all that remained was the clean, white, linen tablecloth underneath – pure and pristine.

These dirty dishes, all piled up, plate-upon-plate, useless and dirty, represented every negative thought about myself. In one fell swoop, Jesus told me I was never to think that way again.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Occasionally, when these thoughts try to return, I see His arm making a clean slate of the table of my mind. I know these thoughts are not from Him – I know I don’t want them! I simply don’t receive or give them a place to taunt me anymore. I am new; I am free. You can be too.

His Word...

There is such great comfort and strength from Jesus’ words...

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."  Matthew 24:35

In the whole of this passage, Jesus is telling us about the end times of Planet Earth. However, His Word will not pass away, cannot be destroyed, cannot fade, whither, lose strength, power, or purpose.

How much time and effort I spend in and on things that are so temporary! So futile, oh so empty.

His Word is my strength, my bread, my breath, my healer, corrector, teacher, and guidance counselor. His Word is everything because Jesus is the Living Word and He brings His written Word to life. What treasure! John 1:14

Nope. I don’t want to waste time chasing the winds of futility any longer.

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week…  

Should you receive some difficult news about a loved one, you are not defenseless. You have the Holy Spirit living inside of you and it is time to lean into the Commander of Heaven’s Hosts. Pray what you know, pray what you sense He is telling you, and pray in the Spirit. You have the resources of heaven working on your loved one’s behalf. Then stand firm and trust.  2 Corinthians 10:4

Should you feel confused about an area of your life, beat it back to God’s Word. Run back to the last thing the Lord spoke to your heart about this situation. The enemy is probably trying to distract you. Enough said.  1 Corinthians 14:33

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!  1 John 4:4

Rocket Science...

I don’t think knowing God’s will for your life is rocket science.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

To know God’s personal adventure for you – the word plan here is simply way too tame – you and I need to have a paradigm shift in the way we think. Yes, a complete overhaul.

I didn’t have a clue how much the world influenced the way I thought and it still can often have a pretty good grip on me. However, the wind of the Holy Spirit began blowing some cobwebs – some chains – away. Only He could do that.

The shift in my thinking came when I didn’t just read the Bible to learn more, but when I also lapped up His word with the intent of hearing what He had to say to me personally. I started to know and recognize His voice, His heart, His way of doing things, and His will for me.

Nope. Not rocket science. It is simply having my thoughts and life transformed by the Master Creator.

His Kingdom Come...

The simple blueprint for spiritual warfare is found in the Lord’s prayer...

“So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.”  Luke 11:2

Over and over in the gospels of the New Testament, we hear Jesus talk about His kingdom. And yes, of course, we all look forward to that day when we experience His kingdom when we pass into His presence.

However, kingdom living is for now. Jesus came to this planet ruled by our adversary, the devil, to establish His reign in those who would believe in Him. In other words, the Lord is telling us that in every dark and desperate situation we face, we can pray; we can declare, “Your kingdom come into this situation!” And we speak with the authority He has given us to use, “In Jesus’ Name!”

No, this side of heaven, we might not see every victory, but we won’t see much at all if we don’t start praying and declaring His Word of truth. This is not passive praying, this is bringing the power of Almighty God into everyday life. Let’s start now.

Prisoner of Hope...

Are you a prisoner…to something?

“Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare That I will restore double to you.”  Zechariah 9:12

Let’s make the prophet’s words personal. We can do this because Paul tells us in the New Testament that we who have surrendered our lives to King Jesus can declare God’s promises over our own lives.*

So now, back to the original question. Are you a prisoner to something?

I think I am a prisoner of hope. I mean that without pretension.

At one time in our lives, my husband and I lost almost everything through some foolish, self-willed decisions, but God in His boundless love brought us to repentance. We turned back to Him with our hearts in our hands and He turned our lives around completely. No, no overnight, but in such a way that only He could have done it. When a person goes through something like that and their faith is built for a lifetime. So yes, I am a prisoner of hope. Fear has little to no place in my life. He has restored double to us. No make that about ten-fold over, at the least.

So, I ask again what are you a prisoner of? Completely surrender your expectations for His. Like us, you may need to learn a few not-so-good-things about yourself, but it will be worth it. Then exchange that bondage for His hope.

Galatians 3:14-16

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should your house be under water, your checkbook is nearly overdrawn, your job situation is iffy, or if it seems like everything in your life is coming undone, it is time to look up. These are difficult days, but Jesus said it would be so. Remember, He is One Who is greater still. Run to the arms of His comfort and He holds you in His mighty hand and won’t let go of you. This isn’t time to doubt. He will walk your through this wilderness.

Should your soul be under water, your reserves of patience are nearly overdrawn, your relationships seem iffy, or if it seems like everything in your life is coming undone, it time to drop to your knees. Seek Jesus who has the power to work miracles in your midst, but may be waiting for you to take your hands off as you try to control your life. Because if you are in control, even just a little bit, that means He isn’t.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4

His Light

Is anyone experiencing tough sledding in life? You know – feeling like life is an uphill battle?

"But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment." Isaiah 50:11

Okay, I admit it. This might not sound like the most inspirational devotional, but it might just save your life. I saved mine.

The prophet Isaiah is warning us from the passage above that when we try to make our own way – try to live life apart from God’s beautiful plans and purposes, life will be a source of almost constant struggle. Take it from my hubby and me who considered ourselves devout Christians; who were pastoring significant churches, yet took a detour to do what made sense, what we thought best, and not what the Lord was speaking directly to us. Honestly? We had two years of torment – think finances, health, kids, relatives, and ministry – that were an absolute struggle.

God uses these things mercifully in our lives to get our attention. This is not punishment, this is a willful choice to walk out from under His protective covering from the enemy.

No, this clearly doesn’t mean that when we blow it, there will always be a price to pay, but if life is a constant struggle, it is wisdom to stop and ask yourself why and were you might have made a detour from Jesus’ abundance.

In other words, it is time to refrain from walking in your own light and beat it back asap to His.

Come Aside...

I am not sure there are any sweeter words...

"And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat."  Mark 6:31

Jesus and His crew were on a 24/7/365 schedule. Every minute was pursued on assignment from the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. And Jesus. Well Jesus always knows what is best.

“Come aside, my beloved.”

He calls us to His side to find refreshment, rest, restoration, and redemption. And the call to His early disciples is extended to us today. There is nothing that can replace time with Him alone. Why waste time, worry, sleeplessness, ill-health when we have the opportunity to find all we need for spirit, soul, and body in the quiet of His presence?

Yes, I understand life can be hectic. I am only home two days this month and six days the next, and my calendar is filled. I understand quiet can be more of a pipe dream – I am currently helping our kids with their newborn twins and toddler. I realize there are so many other distractions: Netflix, sports, work, finances, stuff...

But He extends the invitation to come aside and His call is irresistible.